Vacuum cleaning device



Jan. 17, 1956 MDE J. ORTEGA VACUUM CLEANING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 25 1951 are 4 Y mm w mm. e m1 m T m 4 w Jan. 17, 1956 M. DE J. ORTEGA VACUUM CLEANING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 25, 1951 IN VEN TOR.

MAE/0 DE f 0 T564 A T TB/VEX Jau. 17, 1956 M. DE J. ORTEGA VACUUM CLEANING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 23', 1951 FIG. IO.

IN V EN TOR. M42/0 0E J5 0Z7E64 F IG. 8.

Unite States arent O 2,731,103 VACUUM CLEANING DEVICE Application March 23, 1951,` Serial YNo. 217,210 ronims. (ci. 183947;

This invention relates generally to vacuum type cleaning devices for cleaning and/or removing water from surfaces during the process of cleaning or washing the same.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a highly improved device of the character described for removing water from iloors or other surfaces to be cleaned which shall include a chamber for holding the water which is removed, suction means for drawing the water into the chamber, the said device being so constructed and arranged whereby the water removed from the floor during the washing process will be prevented from interfering with the operation of or damaging the suction means.

Another object of my invention'is to provide a device of the character described for removing water from oors or other suriaces to be washed or cleaned including improved suction means for removing the water from the door during or after the washing process in which novel means areV employed for protecting the motor against dust and/or water drawn from the floor;

Still another object of my invention isto provide a device of the character described for removing water from surfaces cleaned or washed by water, which shall include as a part thereof novel suction producing means for drawing in the water removed, and in which improved means are provided for automatically rendering said suction producing means ineiiective after a predetermined amount of water -has been removed and drawn into the device.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device ol? the character' described for removing water from surfaces cleaned or washed by water, whichshall be compact, andrelatively light in weight so that it may be easily carried from place to place, which shall comprise relatively few and simple parts, which shall be simple in operation and use andrwhich, at the same time, lshall represent an improvement in the art.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a device of the character described for removing water from surfaces cleaned or washed by water, which shall be so constructed and arranged' whereby the said device may be readily converted for use for dry suction clean? Other objects of my invention will become apparent from the description of the operation and construction thereof to follow, or will hereinafter be more particulari y pointed out.

Certain features described but not claimed in this application are described and claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 173,292 filed July l2, 1950, for Vacuum Cleaning Water Separator now Patent No.

ln the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1' is an elevational'view of a device for removing water from surfacesfconstructed and arranged in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View thereof, with theextending hose portion omitted and with a portion of the handle broken away to disclose the construction underneath;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional View taken substantially along the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is atop plan view as viewed substantially along c the line 4 4 of Fig. 3 with the handle and cap removed and omitting all of the casing portions of the device therebelow; f

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 5 5 of Fig.A 3 but with the lower casing portions of the device omitted;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional View, taken substantially along the line `6 6 of Fig. 3 and slightly reduced in size;

Fig.` 7 is a cross-sectional'v View taken substantially along the line 7 7 of Fig. 3 and showing the construction of the labyrinth member by itself;

Fig. Sis a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 8 8 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view, similar to Fig. 3, but being partly in elevation and illustrating a modified form of my invention for the lower portion only of the ldevice illustrated in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 10-10 of Fig. 9.

Referring now in detail to the drawings I have shown a device for removing water from floors or other surfaces during and after the washing process, constructed and arranged in accordance with my, invention and which comprises a housing 15 formed bya lower receptacle 20 in which water may accumulate and an upper cover member 21. The members 20 and21 may be of hollow cylindrical shape, as shown, and ofjlight metallic material interiitted to form a closed chamber or container in the following manner. v

The lower'receptacle 24) may be outwardly turned at its upper edge to provide a flat annular surface 22 for engagement with a suitable gasket member 23 carried by the cover 21. At its lower edge the cover 21 may be proy vided with a downwardly extending peripherally enlarged portion 24, the interconnecting material 24a between the enlarged portion '24 and the main portion of the cover 21 forming a groove sloping downwardly and radially inwardly throughout its entire circumference.

To maintain the cover 21 in locked position on the lower receptacle 20 and at the same time to permit its quick and easy release for purposes which will soon become apparent I provide a pair of toggle catches 25 on opposite sides of the receptacle k20.l Each toggle catch member 25 comprises operating levers 26 and hooks 27. The levers 26 are so constructed that when pressed inwardly towards the sides of the receptacle 20 the hooks 27 are brought to bear downwardly on theA upper edge of the' peripherally enlarged portion 24 ofthe cover 21. The downward and radially inward slopev of the interconnecting material 24a provides a suitable surfacey for engagement with the hooks 27 in such manner that they will not slip oil until the operating levers 26 are moved upwardly to release the hooks 27.

It is thus seen from the above described construction that when the toggle catches 25 are closed, the gasket 23 will be compressed between the receptacle 20 and the cover 21 to provide an effective seal to prevent the surrounding air from entering the closed chamber during the operation of the apparatus. To remove the cover 21 for any desired purpose it is merely necessary to open the toggle catches 25 and disengage the hooks 27 from the peripheral portion 24 by pulling the levers 26 outwardly, and upwardly.

' Supported on the cover 21 is a hollow reel member 30, comprising a vertically disposed wall 31 surrounding an opening E52 and upper and lower curved flanges 33 and 3d respectively. T he reel 30 may be iixedly attached to the cover 21 by any suitable means, such as for example the bolt members passing through the top wall 21a oi' the cover 21 and the lower flange 34 of the reel 30. The said reel 30 is designed to serve as a storage device for a desired length of ilexible hose 3S, the purpose and function of which will be more fully disclosed as the description proceeds.

Mounted on the cover 21 is an inlet pipe 50 which may project through aligned openings in the top wall 21a of the cover 21 and the lower ange 34 of the hose reel 30 and which at its lower end communicates directly with the interior chamber of the receptacle 20. An elbow iitting 51 threadedly connected to the pipe 50 at its upper end serves to maintain the said pipe in position and at the same time helps to hold the cover 21 and reel 30 in attachment. One end of the hose 3S is attached to the elbow portion 51a and the opposite end of the said hose is designed to receive any suitable door cleaning device, such as for example the device 52 as best seen in Fig. 1, and consisting of a scrubbing brush portion 53 and a squeegee member or the like 54 fixed to a hollow shank 52a, such as, for example thedevice shown and described in my copending application, Serial No. 199,113, tiled Dec. 4, 1950 for Vacuum Squeegee Device.

It is thus seen from the above description that when a suction force is applied to the hollow chamber 43 of the cover 21, a vacuum will be created therein. Since the inner chamber of the receptacle 20 communicates directly with the chamber 43, air from the said receptacle 20 will be drawn into the said chamber 43, creating a vacuum in the receptacle 20. Air, to lill the vacuum in the receptacle 20 will then be drawn in through the tube 50, hose 38, and end iitting 52a from the air surrounding the oor and brushes 53 and squeegee 54. The air will draw in with it the surplus water used in cleaning the oor. The water thus drawn in will accumulate in the receptacle 20.

Whereas, in my copending application, Serial No. 173,-

3? and supported by the cover 21 in the following manner:

The top wall 21a of the cover 21 is provided with a central opening or depressed portion comprising the bottom or floor 2lb and a surrounding side wall 21C. The pump is place within the said opening or depression and rests on the said oor`21b. A layer of resilient material 61 may be interposed between the floor 21h and the pump 60 to minimize vibration. The pump 60 is held firmly in position by a metallic ring 62, having an outward lower ilange 62a resting on the top wall 21a and securedthereto `by the bolts 63, and an inwardly extending upper flange 6219 overlying a shoulder of the pump 60 and attached to said pump shoulder by the bolts 64. Resilient packing 65 may be interposedbetween the pump 60 and the ange 62h, similar in purpose and function to the packing 61. The inner surface of the vertical Wall 31 of the reel 30 may be lined with suitable soundproof insulating material 66, such as, for example, rock wool. An opening 21d is provided in the oor'21b communicating with the intake opening of the pump,

Disposed above the motor 60a of the pump 60 is a baifle plate which is smaller in diameter than the reel opening 32, leaving a space Z therebetween (see Fig. 5). The said plate is fixed to an upper plate by suitable angle brackets 71 weldedly attached to the plate 70 and riveted to the upper plate 75 by the rivets 72. The upper plate 75 is provided with a circumferential ange 76 angularly disposed to conform to the contour of the adjacent top flange 33 of the reel 30, and contactively overlying the said reel flange 33. Circumferentially spaced openings 77 are provided in the ange 76 which are in alignment with openings in the said reel ange 33 and bolts 78 passing through the said aligned openings hold the upper plate 75 in position, as rshown in Figs. 3 and 4. The upper plate 75 is provided with a relatively large central opening 79 (Fig. 4).

A cap plate 80 is provided which may be arched as shown and is supported on the ange 33 in the following manner so that there will be a space X between the said flange 33 and said plate 80.

A pair of brackets 81 are provided, each having upper and lower flanges S3 and 82 respectively. The upper flange 83 is iixed to the cap 80 by rivets 84 and the lower ilange 32 overlies the flange 76 of the plate 75 and is provided with apertures in alignment with the openings 77 so that the same bolt members 78 will serve to hold the brackets 81 in position. As noted in Figs. 3 and 6, the top wall of the motor 60a is provided with air vents 85 and an air space Y is provided between the flange 62k and the motor 6061.

It is thus seen from the above described construction that when the pump 60 is in operation to draw in the mixture of air and water through the hose 38, as hereinbefore described, the air thus taken in through the pump will pass out upwardly through the space Y, the openings 85 and striking the baille plate 70 will be deflected around the edges thereof and upwardly through the space Z, thence through the opening 79 in the upper plate 7S and out to the surrounding atmosphere through the space X surrounding the cap 80. The exhaust of the air filtered of its moisture and drawn in will serve to cool the motor and pump.

As noted in Figs. l, 2 and 3, a carrying handle 86 may bel provided for the convenience of the user. The said handle 36 may be of any suitable material, such as leather, or plastic material, and may be formed with loops 88 at opposite ends. Handle brackets 89 fixed to the bracket 81 by means of nuts 90, passing upwardly through the cap 80, and having transverse bars 91 received in the loops Si; serve to fasten the handle to the reel 30.

As a further safeguard against the possibility that moisture might be drawn into the pump 60 during its operation, I provide a labyrinth device, now to be described, which is interposed between the interior of the receptacle 2i) and the opening 21d in the oor 21h, leading to the pump inlet.

As best vseen in Figs. 3 and 7 the labyrinth device comprises an outer cylindrical member and an inner cylindrical member. The outer cylindrical member is of stepped construction comprising the vertical wall portions 100, 101 and 102, interconnected by the integral horizontal wall portions 103, 104 and 105. The vertical wall 102 depends downwardly through an opening in the plate 48 and the said outer labyrinth member is held in position by the horizontal wall 104 resting upon the upper surface of the disc 48. The inner labyrinth member comprises the vertical walls 107 and 103 interconnected by the integral horizontal walls 109 vand `110. The said horizontal wall V109 overlies and is attached to wall 104 of the outer labyrinth member and the wall 110 contactively overlies the undersurface of the top wall 21a of the cover 21. Suitable bolt members 115 fasten the said wall to the said top wall 21a. Horizontal walls 4S and 104 contactively overlie the undersurface of the bottom wall 109 of the inner labyrinth member from which they are supported by suitable bolts 200 as shown in Fig. 3.

4llt is noted fromthe-drawingsthat the o uterlabyrinth member, kas above described, is in direct communication with the interior of the cover 21,.which in turn communi@ the above described construction it is noted that any moisture remaining in the air drawn into the pump will be substantially freed of such moisture by having to pass throughthe labyrinth device. ,If desired, tolinsure further against moisture entering the pump, any suitable moisture absorbing or catching member 120 of any suitable material and shape best suited for the purpose such as, for example vabsorbent paper or other material, may be placed in the outer labyrinth member, in the path kof the air drawn therein.

By virtue of this arrangement, the pump 60, passing into the opening' or depression in the cover, is brought into proximity with the interior of the container and is housed within the inner labyrinth member. The inner extremity of the pump is protectively isolated from water or moisture by the inner labyrinth which prevents communication between the interior of the container and the intake opening of the pump, except through the port 116 in the Wall of the inner labyrinth. It is to be noted that this port is disposed intermediate the inner extremity of the pump 60 and the opening-defining portions of the cover, into which the pump' extends, thus impeding the entrance of moisture and liquid which might otherwise gain admission to the interior of the inner labyrinth.

The motor 60a is connected by suitable electrical con- In accordance with my invention, I provide the follow-` ing means for automatically stopping the operation of K the pump to shut off the source of suction whenever the accumulated water in the receptacle reaches a predetermined level to thereby prevent the possibility that water might be drawn into the motor to damage the same.

As best seen in Fig. 3, the walls 102 and 105 of the outer labyrinth member and the wall 109 of the inner labyrinth member form a closed chamber 130 which is independent of the interior of the inner labyrinth. Into this chamber 130 there is placed a float 131. Mounted within the interior of the inner labyrinth is a pair of electrical contact members 132 and 133 which are suitably connected by the conductor wires 134 in the same circuit interconnecting the motor with the prong connector 122. The contact members 132 and 133 are normally closed, asshown in Ithe drawing, so that when the prong receiving socket is inserted in the casing 125, a suitable switch closed, the pump will begin operation. Attached to the contact member 132 is a block 135 ofelectrical insulation materiaLnormally freely resting on the wall 109 of the inner labyrinth member. Attached to the upper surface of the oat 131 is a projecting pin 140 adapted to move freely upwardly through an opening 141 in the side wall 109.

It is thus seen from the above described construction that when the oat 131 is caused to rise in the chamber 130, the pin 140 will push the block 135 upwardly to move the contact member 132 away from the contact member 133 to thereby break the circuit to the motor and thus automatically stop the operation of the pump.v

As clearly seen in Fig. 3, the bottom wall 105 is provided with an opening 149 communicating directly with vthe chamber 130. .It is therefore seerithat when the water accumulated in the receptacle 20, reaches a height above the bottom wall 105 of the chamber 130, the water will enter the chamber 130 through the opening 149 to cause the float to rise and thereby automatically shut olf the pump after which no more water will be drawn in. The cover`21 may then be removed by re'- leasing the catches 25 and the water fromthe receptacle 20 yemptied out. Operation of the device may then be resumed with safety. v l

As best seen in Figs. l, 2 and 3, I provide la hose retaining member 145, suitably pivotally mounted at one end thereof to the upper ange 33 of the hose reel by the pivot 144 and having a depending portion 145a designed to be inthe path of one or two of the uppermost con. volutions of the hose 38 to prevent spreading and displacement thereof. f.,

In accordance with my invention the following simple and novel meansmay be employed whenever desired for converting the device as above described for use for dry suction cleaning.

Disposed within the lower receptacle 20 is an inner receptacle 40 conforming generally to the shape of the receptacle 20, but of smaller size so kas to provide an annular space S between the inner receptacle 40 and the outer receptacle 20. Circumferentially spaced abutment members 41 carried by the inner receptacle 40 serve to maintain the inner receptacle 40 against displacement with respect to the surrounding side wall 20a of the receptacle 2i?. A coil spring member 42 interposed between the bottom wall 20b of the receptacle 20 and the bottom wall of the inner receptacle 40 maintains the said inner receptacle spaced fromthe said bottom wall 20b. It is noted that the space S communicates directly with the hollow area 43 in the cover 21. The significance and function of vthis arrangement will be more fully described hereinafter.

The inner receptacle 40 is composed of an upper imperforate part S4 and a lower perforated part 4S suitably joined by the rivets 46 as best seen in Fig. 3. A filter liner 47 of paper or other suitable filtering material is placed adjacent the inner surface of the receptacle 40. The said filterliner 47 is held in position by turning the upper edge 47a thereof over the upper free edge ofthe receptacle part 44 and held in position by the upward pressure of the spring 42 against a clamping cover discy 48. In orderv to remove and replace the filterl liner 47 it is merely necessary to remove the cover 21 to which the ring 48 is attached and raise the ring 48. The property of the filter 47 is such that it will filter air therethrough but not dust. y n It is thus seen from the above described construction and arrangement that when the pump 60 is set in operation to produce a suction force in the hollow chamber 43 of the cover 21 and a vacuum created therein as hereinbefore described, air from withinthe inner receptacle 40 will be drawn `out through theV filter 47 and the perforated part 4.5 to enter the space S, from where it will be drawn into the hollow chamber 43 and exhausted as previously described. Therefore any dust drawn into the inner receptacle 40 through the pipe 50 will be captiveiy accumulated and held therein because of the filter 47 thus leaving the space S free of any dust, and as a consequence the dust will not be drawn into the pump. I

To recouvert the device to its originally described use to remove water from surfaces it is merely necessary to remove the cover 21, and lift out the inner receptacle 40 and with it the filter 47.

In Figs. 9 and l0, l have shown a modified form of my invention directed to the dual purposes above described, namely means for accumulating the water drawn into the receptacle and for filtering the dust when the device is usedin the dry vacuum cleaning of surfaces. v

As seen in the drawings, the device comprises the lower outer receptacle 20 and the cover 21 interconnected by the latch members 25. The construction of all'the parts are the same as that shown in Fig. 3, eX- cept 'that instead of the inner receptacle 40 and the filter line; 47 I p rovide a frusto-conical 0r dish shaped member 150 preferably made of perforated or mesh material, the upper edge of which isretained in a clamping rubber ring 151 seated on the shoulder formed by the vertical wall l i.'liAuof the receptacle 2i) and held tightly between said shoulder and the cover 21. At the bottom thereof the member 150 is fastened to a flange 16551 which eX- tends laterally from the bottom wall 105 of the float chamber 130, by the screws 152. The bottom portion 156g of the member 15() is provided with an opening 153 in alignment with the opening 149 in the wall 105. overlying the outer surface of the strainer member 150 is a filter member 155 similar in function to that of the filter member 47, the said member 155 being held in position by clamping its `upper edge between the clamping rubber ring 151 and the upper edge of the wall 20a of the receptacle 20. The pipe 50 passes through openings the lter 155 and the strainer member v150 and communicates directly with the interior of the receptacle 20.

It is now seen that by the above described modiiied construction, when the pump is operated to create a suction and it is desired to use the device for aspirating Water, the said suction will draw the air and water mixture in through the pipe 50, the water will accumulate in the receptacle 20 and the air will be drawn upwardly to pass through the lter 155, strainer 150, and the labyrinth. When the device is used for dry vacuum cleaning the air drawn in to the receptacle 20 will be filtered of its dust by the filter 155, and will pass freely through the mesh member 150, leaving the dust to accumulate in the receptacle 20. Openings 153 and 149 being in alignment will permit water which accumulates in the receptacle 20, when it reaches above the height of the iioor 105 of the oat chamber, to raise the oat 13 1 and automatically shut oif the pump, as described in connection with the Figs. l through 8 form of my invention.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have herein described the principle and operation of my invention, together with the construction which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the construction shown is only illustrative and that the invention can be carried out by other means. Also, while it is designed to use the various features and elements in the combinations and relations described, some of these may be altered and others omitted without interfering with the more general results outlined, and the invention extends to such use.

I claim:

1. A cleaning device of the character described for removing water from oors or other surfaces comprising a main vreceptacle adapted to accumulate the removed water therein, a hollow removable cover member for said receptacle forming a closed chamber therewith, portions of said cover member providing a depressed area, electrical suction producing means having an intake opening supported by said cover member, a portion of said electrical suction producing means being received in said depressed area of said cover member, a tubular member, means for attaching said tubular member to said cover member, and a portion of said suction producing means proiecting above said depressed area and into said tubular member, said tubular member being provided with upper and lower outwardly extending flanges, inlet means communicating with said closed chamber, said inlet means comprising a hose receiving member disposed in said lower Harige, a hose member connected at one end to said hose receiving member and adapted to be wound aroundsaid tubular Vmember and between said iianges, a

labyrinth ,member semprisins an Outer Cylindrial mem: ber and an `innercylindrical member nested in said outer cylindrical member, an opening in said outer cylindrical member communicating directly with said cover member, said inner cylindrical member communicating directly with the intake opening of said suction producing means and an opening in said inner cylindrical member communicating only with said outer cylindrical member, whereby.

when said suction producing means is rendered effective a mixture of air and water will be drawn into said closed chamber through said inlet, the water accumulating in said receptacle and the air being drawn through said labyrinth to be further relieved of its moisture, and means for rendering said suction producing means'elfec.- tive, means for automatically rendering said suction producing means ineffective when a predeterminedamount of water has been accumulated in said receptacle, said last named automatic means comprising a oat chamber communicating with the interior of said receptacle, a float member in said float chamber, and means whereby the raising of said iloat member in said chamber will automatically render said suction producing means .inf effective.

2. A cleaning device of the character described for removing water, dust and dirt from oors or other surfaces comprising a main receptacle adapted to accumulate the removed water therein, a hollow removable cover member for `said receptacle forming a closed chamber therewith, said cover having portions defining an opening; electrical suction producing means having an intake opening supported byv said cover member, inlet means communicating with said closed chamber; a labyrinth member comprising an outer cylindrical member and an inner cylindrical member nested in said outer cylindrical member, an opening in said outer cylindrical member communicating directly with said cover member, said inner cylindrical member communicating directly with the intake opening of said suction producing means, and an opening in said inner cylindrical member communieating only with said outer cylindrical member, said suction producing means extending into said opening in said cover member towards the water accumulating portion of said main receptacle and the interior of said inner cylindrical member, the opening in said inner cylindrif cal member being disposed outwardly `of the inwardly extending extremity of said suction producing means, whereby said suction producing means when rendered effective is operative to draw a mixture of air and water into said closed chamber through said inlet, the water accumulating in said receptacle and the air being drawn through said labyrinth to be further relieved of its moisture; means for rendering said suction producing means effective; an intermediate foraminous casing, means for supporting said intermediate foraminous casing within said main receptacle andv in a position interposed between said main receptacle and said labyrinth member,

said intermediate foraminous casing comprising a perforated angularly disposed wall comprising a perforated portion and a filter member overlying the outer surface of said perforated wall portion, said filter member being adapted to permit air to pass therethrough from said main receptacle ,to said labyrinth member and to prevent dust from passing therethrough; whereby said cleaning device may also be used rfor dry vacuumcleaning purposes as well as for removing water or a mixture of water and dust from floor surfaces.

3. A cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein a float member is disposed within said foraminous casing and is operatively connected to said means for `rendering said suctionproducing means effective, Vsaid float member being ,adapted to rise with the liquid level withf in the lreceptacle and `being effective toautomatically render *said suction producing means ineffective when fa pre determined afrnountl of liquid yhas been 'accurnnlated' in said receptacle. Y Y Y 4. A cleaning device for removing matter from floors or other surfaces comprising, in combination, a main receptacle adapted to accumulate matter within the interior thereof; a removable cover for said receptacle and adapted to form a closed container therewith; inlet means communicating with the interior of said container for delivering matter thereto; said cover having surface portions defining an opening; a hollow labyrinth member disposed within and supported by portions of said container, one extremity of said labyrinth member being disposed adjacent to said opening in said cover in sealed engagement with said container, the opposite extremity of said labyrinth member extending inwardly from said cover and towards said receptacle; a closure for the inwardly extending extremity of said hollow labyrinth member whereby direct communication between the in terior of said container and the interior of said hollow labyrinth member through said inwardly extending extremity thereof is prevented; suction producing means supported by said container and having portions dening an intake opening, one extremity of said suction producing means extending into the opening in said cover and confined within the interior of said hollow labyrinth member; portions of said hollow labyrinth member defining an inlet port, said port providing the sole means of communication between the interior of said container and the intake opening of said suction producing means, said port being disposed intermediate the opening defining surface portions of said cover and the inwardly ex tending extremity of said suction producing means; err ergization of said suction producing means being operative to cause a mixture of air and matter to be drawn through said inlet means into the interior of said container, the matter accumulating in said container and the air being drawn through the port of said labyrinth into the intake opening of said suction producing means; a foraminous casing having an interior surface and an exterior surface; said casing being removably supported within said container and disposed in the path of flow of said matter between said inlet means and said inlet port; and ilter means associated with one of said surfaces of said casing, said inlet means being operative to introduce air-entrained matter to only one surface of said casing, whereby air entering said container under action of said suction producing means is operative to penetrate both said casing and said associated filter means while dirt and dust particles are prevented from pass ing therethrough and are retained within said container; said inlet means being effective to deliver matter only to the exterior of said casing, whereby entrained dust particles are excluded from the interior of said casing by said filter means while air is permitted to pass through both said casing and iilter means and through said inlet port under action of said suction producing means.

5. A cleaning device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said foraminous casing is supported a substantial distance above the bottom of said receptacle, said inlet means communicating directly with the space defined by said receptacle and said foraminous casing for delivering said matter to said defined space; whereby liquid may be accumulated in said space while said foraminous casing remains within said container and spaced from the liquid so accumulated.

6. A cleaning device of the character described for removing water, dust and dirt from floors or other surfaces comprising, a main receptacle adapted to accumulate the removed water therein; a removable hollow cover member for said receptacle forming a closed chamber therewith, said cover having portions defining an opening; electrical suction producing means having an intake open ing and supported by said cover member; a labyrinth member comprising an outer cylindrical member and an inner cylindrical member sealing said suction producing means from communication with the interior of said chamber, an opening in said outer cylindrical member providing communication between the interior of said outer cylindrical member and the interior of said cover member, an opening in said inner cylindrical member providing sole direct communication between the intake opening of said suction producing means and the interior of said outer cylindrical member; said suction producing means extending vertically downwardly into said opening in said cover member towards the water accumulating portion of said main receptacle and the interior of said inner cylindrical member, the opening in said inner cylindrical member being disposed above the downwardly extended extremity of said suction producing means; an inlet associated with said closed chamber providing corn- .sunication between the interior of said closed chamber vand atmosphere; said device being operative to draw a mixture of air and water into said closed chamber through said iniet under action of said suction producing means, whereby the water is accumulated in said receptacle and the air is drawn through said labyrinth to be further relieved ot its moisture.

7. A cleaning device for removing matter from iioors or other surfaces comprising, in combination, a main receptacle adapted to accumulate matter within the interior thereof; a removable cover for said receptacle and adapted to form a closed container therewith; inlet means communicating with the interior of said container for delivering matter thereto; said cover having surface portions defining an opening; a hollow open-ended cylindrical labyrinth member disposed within said container, one open end of said labyrinth member being disposed adjacent to said opening in said cover in sealed engagement with said container, the opposite open end of said labyrinth member extending inwardly from said cover and towards said receptacle; a closure for the inwardly extending open end of said hollow labyrinth member whereby direct communication between the interior of said container and the interior of said hollow labyrinth member through said inwardly extending open end thereof is pre- Vented; suction producing means supported by said container and having portions defining an intake opening, a portion of said suction producing means extending into the opening in said cover and confined within the interior of said hollow labyrinth member; surface portions between the ends of said hollow labyrinth member defining an inlet port, said port providing the sole means of cOmmunication between the interior of said container and the intake opening of said suction producing means, saidport being disposed intermediate the opening defining sur face portions of said cover and the inwardly extending portion of said suction producing means; energization of said suction producing means being operative to cause a mixture of air and matter to be drawn through said inlet means into the interior of said container, the matter accumulating in said container and the air being drawn through the port of said labyrinth into the intake opening of said suction producing means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Ortega Aug. 25, 1953 

